Relationships #5 - The Mean People in Our Life
Relationships - Each week during the month of May we'll look at some categories of people who have had some form of influence upon our life.
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Sunday, May 31st - Alexis Orton
Monday, June 1st - Colin Paul
Wednesday, June 3rd - Perry Orton
Friday, June 5th - Amie Sensiba, Chris & Rachel Kuestner
Monday, June 1st - Colin Paul
Wednesday, June 3rd - Perry Orton
Friday, June 5th - Amie Sensiba, Chris & Rachel Kuestner
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Our May series deals with the subject of RELATIONSHIPS. Each week we'll look at categories of people who have had some form of influence upon our life.
So far we've looked at the Men, the Moms, the Mighty Ones, and last week was the Memorables.
So far we've looked at the Men, the Moms, the Mighty Ones, and last week was the Memorables.
Last week's Memorables message was about those who've left a positive imprint or brand upon our life. They've encouraged us, walked beside us in the dark times, invested in us, and even pointed us toward Jesus.
But the word Memorable has another side to it, one that is negative.
Think of those who have left you emotionally beat up, disrespected, feeling insecure or inadequate, the object of ridicule, or intimidated in some form.
The result of your encounter with them has marked you. You've tried to deal with it, but it's had a major impact on who you are.
But the word Memorable has another side to it, one that is negative.
Think of those who have left you emotionally beat up, disrespected, feeling insecure or inadequate, the object of ridicule, or intimidated in some form.
The result of your encounter with them has marked you. You've tried to deal with it, but it's had a major impact on who you are.
Today's topic is entitled The Mean People in Our Life.
A mean person is someone who, "exhibits cruel, unkind, and malicious attitudes and behavior."
At its core, being "mean" is understood as "acting in a nasty or spiteful way."
Mean behavior is highly intentional and specifically aims to depreciate or harm someone else.
Question: Have you ever been, or are you, a mean person?
A mean person is someone who, "exhibits cruel, unkind, and malicious attitudes and behavior."
At its core, being "mean" is understood as "acting in a nasty or spiteful way."
Mean behavior is highly intentional and specifically aims to depreciate or harm someone else.
Question: Have you ever been, or are you, a mean person?
We live in a world filled with difficult people and problems. And if we're honest, sometimes we are the mean people and the problem!
We really have no control over the meanness of others but we do have control over how we react to it and whether we will be a meany ourselves.
Our text today is found in Romans 12:9-21 but we'll focus only on Romans 12:17-19, 21.
We really have no control over the meanness of others but we do have control over how we react to it and whether we will be a meany ourselves.
Our text today is found in Romans 12:9-21 but we'll focus only on Romans 12:17-19, 21.
Romans 12:9-21
BSB
9 Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
11 Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.
13 Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18 If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
11 Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.
13 Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18 If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
BSB
Biblical principles that will help us to respond to mean people:
1. Remember that SIN is a THING.
Ephesians 4:22-24, 29-32
1. Remember that SIN is a THING.
Ephesians 4:22-24, 29-32
Ephesians 4:22-24, Ephesians 4:29-32
BSB
22 to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds;
24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
29 Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.
32 Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds;
24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
29 Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.
32 Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
BSB
2. Guard your HEART.
Proverbs 4:23; Philippians 4:6-9
Proverbs 4:23; Philippians 4:6-9
Proverbs 4:23
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23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.
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Philippians 4:6-9
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6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
BSB
3. Seek to UNDERSTAND.
Luke 6:45
Luke 6:45
Luke 6:45
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45 The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.
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4. Choose the WISE PATH.
1 Peter 2:23; Matthew 5:43-48; 1 Peter 3:14-16
1 Peter 2:23; Matthew 5:43-48; 1 Peter 3:14-16
1 Peter 2:23
BSB
23 When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.
BSB
Matthew 5:43-48
BSB
43 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?
47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?
47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
BSB
1 Peter 3:14-16
BSB
14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”
15 But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,
16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
15 But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,
16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
BSB
At the end of our day, our response to mean people shows the reality of our faith.
1. Realize that meanness is the result of sin.
2. Resist the urge to take things personally and seek revenge.
3. Really try to understand the other person and take things down a notch.
4. Represent God with our words and deeds.
1. Realize that meanness is the result of sin.
2. Resist the urge to take things personally and seek revenge.
3. Really try to understand the other person and take things down a notch.
4. Represent God with our words and deeds.
